Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye is the largest of some 200 cayes that dot the coastline of Belize. Ambergris is part of a wide limestone peninsula dangling south from the Yucatan coast of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Ambergris is 25 miles long and a little over a mile wide, in some places, and it is located in the clear shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea just off the tip of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
The history of the island goes back to the days of the Maya, European Pirates and Mexican Refugees who fled during the Caste Wars. The descendants from Mexico make up most of the island's population today. The economy of the island was once dependent on the coconut industry, followed by the fishing industry, but it is now dependent on tourism.
Ambergris Caye has about the same land area as the Caribbean island of Barbados, although much of Ambergris is uninhabitable mangrove swamp. Her coastline is protected by the 190 mile long Barrier Reef, the second largest living coral reef in the world (with the first being off the coast of Australia). In Mayan times, Ambergris Caye was a trading post. The Marco Gonzales ruins at the southern tip of Ambergris Caye and the Basil Jones site to the north, as well as the many recently excavated "home sites" in the heart of San Pedro Town give evidence to a former Mayan population of 10,000. The narrow channel that separates Mexico and Belize was dug by the Maya to provide a trade route from the bay of Chetumal to the Caribbean.
Fishing was once the Caye's principal industry, but within the last 20 years tourism has taken over. Many fishers now use their boats exclusively to cater to visitors needs; snorkeling, sports fishing, diving, and manatee watching. San Pedro, the island's only town, offers a wide choice of hotels, restaurants, bars, gift shops, outfitters, and travel agencies to suit every recreational interest and pocketbook, although food and services are relatively expensive here.
The island's biggest tourist attraction is the Belize Barrier Reef that runs parallel along the entire coast of Belize. The reef is only a quarter mile from the beach of Ambergris Caye making diving accessible. One of the most popular dive sites is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which is only a ten-minute boat ride from town. The reef's beauty and richness has put Belize among the top ten dive destinations in the world.
The history of the island goes back to the days of the Maya, European Pirates and Mexican Refugees who fled during the Caste Wars. The descendants from Mexico make up most of the island's population today. The economy of the island was once dependent on the coconut industry, followed by the fishing industry, but it is now dependent on tourism.
Ambergris Caye has about the same land area as the Caribbean island of Barbados, although much of Ambergris is uninhabitable mangrove swamp. Her coastline is protected by the 190 mile long Barrier Reef, the second largest living coral reef in the world (with the first being off the coast of Australia). In Mayan times, Ambergris Caye was a trading post. The Marco Gonzales ruins at the southern tip of Ambergris Caye and the Basil Jones site to the north, as well as the many recently excavated "home sites" in the heart of San Pedro Town give evidence to a former Mayan population of 10,000. The narrow channel that separates Mexico and Belize was dug by the Maya to provide a trade route from the bay of Chetumal to the Caribbean.
Fishing was once the Caye's principal industry, but within the last 20 years tourism has taken over. Many fishers now use their boats exclusively to cater to visitors needs; snorkeling, sports fishing, diving, and manatee watching. San Pedro, the island's only town, offers a wide choice of hotels, restaurants, bars, gift shops, outfitters, and travel agencies to suit every recreational interest and pocketbook, although food and services are relatively expensive here.
The island's biggest tourist attraction is the Belize Barrier Reef that runs parallel along the entire coast of Belize. The reef is only a quarter mile from the beach of Ambergris Caye making diving accessible. One of the most popular dive sites is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which is only a ten-minute boat ride from town. The reef's beauty and richness has put Belize among the top ten dive destinations in the world.
San Pedro Town
San Pedro Town – is the only town on the island of Ambergris Caye. It is about one and a half miles long and in some places about a mile wide. Its atmosphere is that of a small bustling fishing village, and is home to the majority of the island's population as well as a majority of the restaurants, bars, clubs and hotels on the island. Visitors will most likely find what they need within walking distance.
The town is clustered with wooden houses, some with Mexican decor, other Caribbean, and some still remain with the English colonial architecture. Gift shops, boutiques, bars, cafes, and restaurants adorn Front and Middle streets (now named Barrier Reef & Pescador Drive). A short walk in town and you'll feel the friendliness of the people and witness the ease of their lifestyles as they go through daily life. Bare feet, tee-shirts, and shorts is the typical island dress code.
The people of the island are call "Sanpedranos" and speak English, Spanish, Creole, and Maya all at the same time, making it their own island dialect. They are proud of their heritage and are willing to share it with tourists. Before tourism picked up in the eighties, the islanders were mostly Mestizos (Maya-Spanish). Today they share their island with the Creole, Maya, Central American refugees, and Americans that have made San Pedro their new home.
The evenings on the island are a social event. You will find tourists and islanders at different bars and restaurants listening to reggae and Latin music and sharing the day's adventures. For those that like to take a day off from driving, day tours can be arranged to the various Maya archaeological sites and Belize's lush rain forest. For those who just want to relax, a day on the sandy beach, may be all that is needed.
The water off the island is iridescent blue and immediately accessible to the residents and guests. A cooling trade wind sweeps in front the northeast much of the time, keeping insect pests at bay. A variety of food and drink is available, and some of the country's best cooks are happy to prepare fresh seafood exactly the way you like it.
The town is clustered with wooden houses, some with Mexican decor, other Caribbean, and some still remain with the English colonial architecture. Gift shops, boutiques, bars, cafes, and restaurants adorn Front and Middle streets (now named Barrier Reef & Pescador Drive). A short walk in town and you'll feel the friendliness of the people and witness the ease of their lifestyles as they go through daily life. Bare feet, tee-shirts, and shorts is the typical island dress code.
The people of the island are call "Sanpedranos" and speak English, Spanish, Creole, and Maya all at the same time, making it their own island dialect. They are proud of their heritage and are willing to share it with tourists. Before tourism picked up in the eighties, the islanders were mostly Mestizos (Maya-Spanish). Today they share their island with the Creole, Maya, Central American refugees, and Americans that have made San Pedro their new home.
The evenings on the island are a social event. You will find tourists and islanders at different bars and restaurants listening to reggae and Latin music and sharing the day's adventures. For those that like to take a day off from driving, day tours can be arranged to the various Maya archaeological sites and Belize's lush rain forest. For those who just want to relax, a day on the sandy beach, may be all that is needed.
The water off the island is iridescent blue and immediately accessible to the residents and guests. A cooling trade wind sweeps in front the northeast much of the time, keeping insect pests at bay. A variety of food and drink is available, and some of the country's best cooks are happy to prepare fresh seafood exactly the way you like it.
Common Pests
Mosquitos - are usually not a problem, unless you are staying during the rainy season, which is May to October. If you are vacationing with us during this time, you may want to purchase insect repellent for your stay. Mosquitos are most active from dusk to dawn. If doing jungle tours, we recommend taking insect repellent with you.
Sand Fleas – For locals, we call them “NO SEE-EMS”, they are sand fleas. They are commonly found on many of the sandy beaches in Belize. For many locals, we are use to them and their bites no longer affect us. But for tourists (who are not use to them), they can leave little red (itchy) bite marks all over your legs. If sand fleas seem to be bothering you, we recommend rubbing your legs with baby oil. This helps to place a barrier between your leg and the flea. Baby oil can be purchased at local grocery stores.
Doctor Flies – For locals, we call them Doctor Flies, one bite will send you to the doctor. There is no way to prevent getting bite, they are simply a fly that circulates during certain times of the year. They resemble a common ordinary house fly, only they are a bit larger.
Sand Fleas – For locals, we call them “NO SEE-EMS”, they are sand fleas. They are commonly found on many of the sandy beaches in Belize. For many locals, we are use to them and their bites no longer affect us. But for tourists (who are not use to them), they can leave little red (itchy) bite marks all over your legs. If sand fleas seem to be bothering you, we recommend rubbing your legs with baby oil. This helps to place a barrier between your leg and the flea. Baby oil can be purchased at local grocery stores.
Doctor Flies – For locals, we call them Doctor Flies, one bite will send you to the doctor. There is no way to prevent getting bite, they are simply a fly that circulates during certain times of the year. They resemble a common ordinary house fly, only they are a bit larger.
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